And Bears young quarterback also says he expects to play

By ARTHUR ARKUSH

Dec. 5, 2018

Chicago Bears quarterback Mitch Trubisky aknowledges the fans as he leaves the field after the Bears win over the Minnesota Vikings Sunday night at Solder Field in Chicago. — Mark Busch - mbusch@shawmedia.com

After a right shoulder injury sidelined Mitch Trubisky in the past two games, the Bears are optimistic he'll return Sunday night vs. the Los Angeles Rams in a marquee battle of division leaders.

"I feel strongly that he will play," Bears coach Matt Nagy said Wednesday before his team hit the practice field for the first time in Week 14. "But I have to see more (in practice)."

Trubisky was injured on an awkward landing and subsequent late hit by Vikings S Harrison Smith on Nov. 18. After sitting out the Bears' walk-throughs during a truncated Week 12, he was listed as a limited participant in all three sessions last week but didn't throw until Friday and before Sunday's game, for which he was deemed doubtful before sitting out.

"I do (expect to play)," Trubisky told reporters Wednesday. "I just have to show coach Nagy I can play."

The Bears are 1-1 in Trubisky's absence, with backup QB Chase Daniel performing well in the victory in Detroit on Thanksgiving and struggling mightily in Sunday's loss to the Giants.

Trubisky (20-9 TD-INT ratio, 97.7 rating) was on pace for the best statistical season by a Bears quarterback in franchise history at the time of his injury.